You can't apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa first and look for a job later. The job offer comes first. According to the UK government's official page, you must have a confirmed job offer before you apply. Most of the confusion around this route comes from people getting that order wrong.
This guide explains how the visa works, what you need to line up, where people lose money, and what to check on the official site. It uses only the GOV.UK Skilled Worker page. Salary thresholds, fees and the eligible occupations list change, so this guide doesn't quote them. You'll find where to check each one below.
What the Skilled Worker visa is
It lets you come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. GOV.UK says it replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. If an older relative or a forum post mentions "Tier 2", they mean the earlier version of this route.
It also covers work in UK waters. Your visa can last up to 5 years before you need to extend it.
The four core requirements
GOV.UK lists these conditions. You need all four.
- An approved employer. The company must be approved by the Home Office to sponsor workers. A normal UK company that hasn't been approved can't sponsor you.
- A certificate of sponsorship (CoS). Your employer gives you this. It holds information about the role you've been offered.
- An eligible job. The role must be on the list of eligible occupations.
- The minimum salary. The amount depends on the type of work and the date you got your CoS.
You also need to be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You'll usually have to prove this when you apply. If you're unsure which test applies to you, see our guide on English test options and waivers. It's written for study applications, so check the work-visa rules on GOV.UK too.
Step by step: from search to decision
1. Check your occupation first
Before you apply for any role, find your job on the eligible occupations list on GOV.UK. Then check the salary rule for that job. Do this before you spend weeks on applications. A role that isn't eligible can't be rescued by a good interview.
2. Find sponsoring employers
Only approved employers can sponsor. When you apply for a role, ask the recruiter plainly whether the company holds a sponsor licence and is willing to sponsor this role. Many adverts say "visa sponsorship available". Treat that as a claim to verify, not a promise.
3. Get the offer and the CoS
Once an employer offers you the job, they issue the certificate of sponsorship. Read it carefully. The job title, salary and start date on it matter for your application. Ask the employer to correct any mistake before you apply.
4. Apply online
GOV.UK says you must apply online. The process differs depending on whether you're outside the UK, inside the UK extending, or inside the UK switching from another visa. You can apply up to 3 months before the start date listed on your CoS.
5. Prove your identity and provide documents
You'll need to prove your identity and provide your documents. You may need an appointment for this, and you'll find out when you start the application. If you're in Nigeria, Ghana or Kenya, book early and allow extra time for travelling to a centre.
6. Wait for the decision
After you apply, prove identity and provide documents, GOV.UK says you'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you're outside the UK, or 8 weeks if you're inside. You may be able to pay for a faster decision, and you'll be told during the application if that's possible.
What it costs, and how to plan for it
GOV.UK says you, and each partner or child applying with you, must:
- pay the application fee,
- pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay, and
- prove you have enough personal savings.
Use the official "check how much money you'll need" page for the current figures. Don't rely on a figure from a video or an agent.
A hypothetical budget approach
Say a nurse in Lagos wants to plan for a move with a spouse. She shouldn't guess. She'd write down the official fee for herself and her spouse, multiply the surcharge by the number of years on the visa and by the number of people, and add the savings requirement. Then she'd add flights, first-month rent and a deposit. Only then does she know the real number. The example is hypothetical, and the amounts come from the official page.
On the savings point: the money must be genuinely yours. Never borrow money to show a balance temporarily, and never use altered statements. That is fraud, and it can lead to refusal and a ban on future applications. For the legal way to think about funds, read Proof of Funds the Legal Way. It's written for study applicants, but the principle is the same.
Health and care workers
If you're a doctor or nurse, or work in health or adult social care, GOV.UK says to check whether you can apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead. It's cheaper to apply for, and you don't pay the annual immigration health surcharge. Check eligibility on the official site before choosing a route.
What you can and cannot do on the visa
| You can | You cannot |
|---|---|
| Work in an eligible job | Claim most benefits (public funds) or the State Pension |
| Study | Change jobs or employer without applying to update your visa |
| Bring a partner and children as dependants, if they meet the requirements | Do paid voluntary work (voluntary work must be unpaid) |
| Travel abroad and return | |
| Take extra work in certain circumstances | |
| Apply to settle after 5 years, if you meet the other requirements |
The point about changing employer matters most. If your employer closes a department or you want a better offer, you can't simply switch. You must apply to update your visa first.
Staying longer and settling
You can extend your visa as many times as you like, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After 5 years you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain. That gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK as long as you like. Meeting the other requirements is still necessary, so read the settlement rules well before year five.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying someone for a "guaranteed" visa. No agent can guarantee a decision. Read how to spot a fake visa agent before paying anyone.
- Paying an employer or recruiter for the job or the CoS. Be very suspicious of any request for money in return for sponsorship. Check the offer with the official page and walk away if the demand doesn't match the process.
- Applying too early. You can apply only up to 3 months before the start date on your CoS.
- Ignoring the salary rule. It depends on your job type and the date of your CoS. Check it for your exact role.
- Assuming dependants are automatic. Partners and children may be able to apply, but each needs their own application and fees.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the visa before I have a job?
No. GOV.UK says you must have a confirmed job offer first, along with a certificate of sponsorship.
How long does a decision take?
Usually within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK and 8 weeks from inside, once you've applied, proved your identity and provided documents.
Can my family come with me?
Your partner and children may be able to apply as dependants if they meet the requirements. Each pays their own fees and surcharge.
Do I need a degree certificate evaluated?
The official page doesn't say so in this overview. Check the requirements for your specific job on GOV.UK.
Your next step
Open the GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa page at gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa. Find your occupation on the eligible list and write down the salary rule for it. That tells you in one evening whether this route is realistic. For licensed advice on a complicated case, use a regulated immigration adviser rather than a stranger on social media.
Sources
Details checked against the official sources above on 24 October 2026. Things change, so confirm on the official site before you act.
This is general information, not immigration or legal advice. Rules change often, so confirm on the official government website or with a licensed adviser, and avoid agents who promise guaranteed visas.